Finally getting around to making the mods on my MP5 clone.
Before Picture:
Special Weapons that started off life as a 16" barreled clone. I've tinkered with it over the years, replacing the trigger housing, most of the FCG, extractor and SBR'd it a few years ago. Cut the barrel down to 8", threaded the end and added a muzzle device to hold a can.
But I've always wanted the MP5-SD look. I'm not savvy enough or have the right equipment to remove barrels, trunnions, etc. on these things, so I decided that I can get the look, suppression, etc. without going true SD. I opted to do similar to what Omega has done with their uppers in that it is a standard barrel that you can attach a can to like you would any other. Doesn't have the ports, so if I want super quiet I have to shoot 147 subs, which is fine with me. Supers are still super, but with a can they are still fairly quiet as is. And I didn't have to get a new barrel, trunnion, locking piece or go through the rather extensive effort of changing the guts out.
All parts came from HKparts.net - new shroud, SD cocking tube, SD cocking bolt and sight with dust cap. Like any HK, there was significant fitting required. I knew that going into it, did a lot of research, asked a few questions and then got after it.
Old sight tower was removed, old cocking tube was removed. Barrel was cut down to 5", turned the end down to .620" OD and threaded it 5/8x24tpi for my muzzle device. Shroud was cut and modified as required, cocking tube was shortened about 3/4" overall (not unusual), and with some careful grinding and fitting, grinding and fitting...dry fit was pretty dang good.
I turned an aluminum plug to ensure that the shroud stayed aligned with the barrel that worked pretty good.
I wasn't planning on welding it up last night, but after this dry fit ended up - honestly I was afraid to not weld it because I wasn't sure I'd ever get everything lined up that good again. So i tacked it, checked it for alignment and straightness as best I could with my tooling, then welded it out. I milled the welds down considerably simply because I prefer a smooth look versus the weld look on guns (personal preference). I also opted to not weld the shroud on the back and instead puddle welded it where on a true HK gun the barrel trunnion weld hole would be (SW doesn't have a welded trunnion). Kept it much cleaner looking IMO.
Still have some deburring, some touch up spot welding to do here and there to fill in some areas I don't like how the weld turned out, etc. Then I'll likely bead blast the entire receiver and re-coat it since it has a few layers of various coatings here and there from previous work. Thinking of going with ODG on the receiver to be different. I bought a M4 butt cap and have a Mission First Tactical minimalist stock for it, so it fits the same as my AR's and shoulders well with a good cheek weld, and can collapse down to a pretty short package if necessary.
Debating on an 8" can or going with a 12" for extra suppression. I like the length of the shorter can, but the extra few inches on the longer one isn't an issue really and it will be quieter.
It has been a fun project, have to admit.
Before Picture:
Special Weapons that started off life as a 16" barreled clone. I've tinkered with it over the years, replacing the trigger housing, most of the FCG, extractor and SBR'd it a few years ago. Cut the barrel down to 8", threaded the end and added a muzzle device to hold a can.
But I've always wanted the MP5-SD look. I'm not savvy enough or have the right equipment to remove barrels, trunnions, etc. on these things, so I decided that I can get the look, suppression, etc. without going true SD. I opted to do similar to what Omega has done with their uppers in that it is a standard barrel that you can attach a can to like you would any other. Doesn't have the ports, so if I want super quiet I have to shoot 147 subs, which is fine with me. Supers are still super, but with a can they are still fairly quiet as is. And I didn't have to get a new barrel, trunnion, locking piece or go through the rather extensive effort of changing the guts out.
All parts came from HKparts.net - new shroud, SD cocking tube, SD cocking bolt and sight with dust cap. Like any HK, there was significant fitting required. I knew that going into it, did a lot of research, asked a few questions and then got after it.
Old sight tower was removed, old cocking tube was removed. Barrel was cut down to 5", turned the end down to .620" OD and threaded it 5/8x24tpi for my muzzle device. Shroud was cut and modified as required, cocking tube was shortened about 3/4" overall (not unusual), and with some careful grinding and fitting, grinding and fitting...dry fit was pretty dang good.
I turned an aluminum plug to ensure that the shroud stayed aligned with the barrel that worked pretty good.
I wasn't planning on welding it up last night, but after this dry fit ended up - honestly I was afraid to not weld it because I wasn't sure I'd ever get everything lined up that good again. So i tacked it, checked it for alignment and straightness as best I could with my tooling, then welded it out. I milled the welds down considerably simply because I prefer a smooth look versus the weld look on guns (personal preference). I also opted to not weld the shroud on the back and instead puddle welded it where on a true HK gun the barrel trunnion weld hole would be (SW doesn't have a welded trunnion). Kept it much cleaner looking IMO.
Still have some deburring, some touch up spot welding to do here and there to fill in some areas I don't like how the weld turned out, etc. Then I'll likely bead blast the entire receiver and re-coat it since it has a few layers of various coatings here and there from previous work. Thinking of going with ODG on the receiver to be different. I bought a M4 butt cap and have a Mission First Tactical minimalist stock for it, so it fits the same as my AR's and shoulders well with a good cheek weld, and can collapse down to a pretty short package if necessary.
Debating on an 8" can or going with a 12" for extra suppression. I like the length of the shorter can, but the extra few inches on the longer one isn't an issue really and it will be quieter.
It has been a fun project, have to admit.